Author Topic: Ready to upgrade, but no idea what to buy. (Read 500 times)

Elfie · « **on:** April 19, 2005, 09:21:44 PM »

Guys I have $500 to spend on a cpu, motherboard and ram memory. However, since I'm such a puter tard I have no idea what to buy.

I've heard lots of good stuff about AMD especially the Athlon 64 939 pin cpu. One thing I do NOT want is an AMD cpu and a VIA chipset on the motherboard. If I get another AMD cpu I want an nforce chipset this time around.

Also, someone mentioned to me something about 1m of L2 cache on the cpu to help avoid bottlenecks. Is this necessary?

All I do with my comp is play games, AH, Pirates, Rome Total War, Doom 3 to name a few.

*edit* mother board has to have an AGP slot since I wont be upgrading the video card this time around. PCI-E is acceptable as long as my PCI Audigy card will still work.

humble · « **Reply #1 on:** April 19, 2005, 09:45:23 PM »

Basically it comes down to 754 vs 939...the 754 is a dead end and no upgrade path exists. The 939 is the current "state of the art" and there is a reasonable expectation that a CPU upgrade path will exist. Then again, thats what I thought when Iwent with the better MB for my 2500+ barton core.

This time around I simply looked for "best bang for the buck". For me that was a DFI lanparty (754) with a 3200+ (for $249)...was a smoking deal 6 months ago...

Now, some games are GPU (video card) dependant and some like AH are CPU dependant. The fater CPU will get you biggest gain...but memory speed is important as well.

All in all, make the choice between 754 and 939 1st. Then decide if your going to OC or not. As a general rule the good OC boards have the lowest "stock" performance. While the best "stock" boards dont OC well at all....plenty of 411 on this topic if yourun a search....

zmeg · « **Reply #2 on:** April 19, 2005, 10:01:06 PM »

If you want the 1M L2 cach the 754 pin 3700 is the only choice you have within your budgit, it's going for around $350. A gigabyte GA-K8NS is about $70 that leaves you $80 for ram. You'll need a good 400W or better brand name power supply for a good stable system.

Elfie · « **Reply #3 on:** April 20, 2005, 12:51:52 AM »

I am currently running an Athlon 2000XP cpu, how much a performance increase will I see with this cpu:

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=19-103-500&depa=1

It's only 300 mhz faster than the one I currently own, although people report OCing it up to 2.6ghz with just air cooling. (scroll down to see those reports). I am not against OCing, I just dont want to burn up a brand new cpu. I also dont really know how to do it, so unless I had someone helping me OC the cpu it most likely wont happen.

*edit* my current power supply is a 400 watt unit, no idea on the manufacturer.

Elfie · « **Reply #4 on:** April 20, 2005, 01:29:47 AM »

Cpu fan:

http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproductdesc.asp?description=35-106-061&DEPA=0

Motherboard: Onboard ethernet (I like that) and has the mandatory AGP slot for my video card.

http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=13-138-249&depa=1

I have no idea what ram to use heh. How does this look so far? I am open to suggestions.

*edit* whoops, linked to the cpu fan twice

StarOfAfrica2 · « **Reply #5 on:** April 20, 2005, 01:31:18 AM »

You cant go just on rated speed. An Athlon 64 is around 25-30% faster than a similarly rated XP. That DFI Lanparty 754 is a rockin motherboard. Yeah, the upgrade path may be dead, but honestly if you arent going to use PCI express video cards then it doesnt matter.

There are 2 advantages to buying a socket 939.

1. If you decide later to upgrade to PCI express, you will already have a 939 processor so all you need is the MOBO and the video card. If you go 754, you have to buy the processor too. Of course, who knows what will be out a year from now?

2. Speed wise, there is little to no difference between similar models of the 939 and 754 processors. However, 939 does give you the option of running Dual Channel memory setups (if the MOBO supports it, some dont) where the 754 you cant get it at all. Dual channel can speed up your system.

Dont worry about the dual-core issue. If all you do is game, from what Skuzzy has said, and what I've read on Toms Hardware and AMDReview, its not going to benefit you if your main purpose for your rig is gaming.

Elfie · « **Reply #6 on:** April 20, 2005, 01:43:41 AM »

Quote

1. If you decide later to upgrade to PCI express, you will already have a 939 processor so all you need is the MOBO and the video card. If you go 754, you have to buy the processor too. Of course, who knows what will be out a year from now?

The motherboard I linked to has PCI and PCI express slots in addition to the mandatory (for now) AGP slot. Worst case scenario, I burn up my video card because the fan dies. (Had that happen a time or 3

) With this motherboard I could switch over to a PCI express video card instead of having to 1) Use a heat damaged ti-4200 agp card, 2) try to find a new AGP card.

Quote

2. Speed wise, there is little to no difference between similar models of the 939 and 754 processors. However, 939 does give you the option of running Dual Channel memory setups (if the MOBO supports it, some dont) where the 754 you cant get it at all. Dual channel can speed up your system.

Does the motherboard I linked support this?

I think 754 is out of the question really. With a 939 cpu I can put a faster cpu on the motherboard later on if I really want to. I wont be able to do that with the 754 version.

Elfie · « **Reply #7 on:** April 20, 2005, 01:58:50 AM »

Ok, think I found some ram that might work.

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=20-145-505&depa=1

How's this set-up look guys? Like I said before I am open to suggestions.

humble · « **Reply #8 on:** April 20, 2005, 09:06:52 AM »

Elfie....

My only concern is the "XGP"...I dont see any other board with a similiar configuration. The primary force behind the move to PCI-E is price (same as SATA). It's cheaper for the manufacturer to build the components. I'd expect a "dual" AGP/PCI-E board to cost a bit more...not less. It's also missing the "8X" label.

I simply dont recognize the "XGP" designation...probably my ignorance...looks like a standard AGP slot in the picture however if your not certain I'd double check.

Ohio43 · « **Reply #9 on:** April 20, 2005, 11:11:22 AM »

I assume your going to have someone helping you build a system? Without some basic knowledge you might cause some damage. You might also need to tweak a few things and adjust a few things in the BIOS. You will have to know if your present power supply will be able to handle your setup, or if your getting a new one, what wattage your going to want

humble · « **Reply #10 on:** April 20, 2005, 12:27:58 PM »

He's probably fine with regard to PS since he's not upgrading his VC. Seems like a pretty vanilla buildout. Only real "danger point" is properly installing the CPU and cooling fan...two chances to go . The 64's dont run particularly hot so he's probably fine...

As a general rule 450+W is really what you want...along with a 6 fan case. Especially if your going to add a "cutting edge" VC...it has a seperate power lead...or even two and pumps alot of additional heat into the box...

eagl · « **Reply #11 on:** April 20, 2005, 12:41:20 PM »

Here's one way to spend $500:

http://www.hardocp.com/article.html?art=NzU4

Elfie · « **Reply #12 on:** April 20, 2005, 01:31:32 PM »

Humble, I have no clue why that one slot is labeled as XGP and not AGP.

Ohio43, I have replaced every part in my comp except the motherboard/cpu at one time or another. SO I do have *some* knowledge of how to replace parts. Nooge from ingame has offered to walk me through the motherboard/cpu installation via phone or IM service.

My biggest concern is making sure I buy parts that will work together w/o conflicts. I also dont want parts that are sub-standard.

Here's another combination I found last night.

Cpu at newegg:

http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproductdesc.asp?DEPA=0&description=19-103-494&CMP=OTC-pr1c3watch&ATT=Microprocessors+PC

I'd use the same fan I linked to before.

Motherboard:

http://www.partspc.com/store/product800.html

Ram, same as above but I found 1 gig of the stuff for $86.

I actually like this setup a bit better than the other one. Cpu is a bit faster and the motherboard actually has an agp slot listed plus it's a name brand board.

What do you guys think of this setup? Any potential problems?

humble · « **Reply #13 on:** April 20, 2005, 05:39:58 PM »

I dont know that you have a problem with the original board...I simply have never heard of an XGP slot...

Elfie · « **Reply #14 on:** April 20, 2005, 06:25:00 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by humble
I dont know that you have a problem with the original board...I simply have never heard of an XGP slot...

Neither have I, tis why I posted a link to the board itself. I dont have reserve funds that would allow me to make a mistake in buying any one of these components. This is one reason why I started this thread.

With all of the different combinations of parts you can use these days I came here for advice and gave my budget.

I cant take the risk that the first motherboard will suit my needs. What about my second combination of parts? Is there anything that will cause problems? Anyone?